Uk Visitors Visa Or Unmarried Partners

[bangkokbill]

After two visits to the UK, will I be pushing my luck by applying for a third visitors visa for the the Thai girlfriend. By the time that happens, we will have been together for more than three years (together ALL the time as I am non-resident in the UK and live with her in Thailand). No circumstances have changed and I have all the necessary paperwork, etc for the third application. The plus point is that she has proven track record of visiting and returning without causing any problems and we have been together longer than the previous applications. The negative, on both occasions I indicatd the visit would last 3-4 weeks but actually lasted 8-9 weeks, although still well within the bounds of the six month visa issued.

I see that the unmarried partner settlement visa is an option, although I would not become resident again in the UK until the next tax year (2007 on) and only then if I had cashed in various long-term investments but would probably stay there for three months later this year if she got that visa and then come back in April 07. I still have UK property and will be 50 soon with adequate pension to meet fiscal requirements so no real impediment there.

Ideally, I would still like to get her another visitors visa BUT if it is pushing my luck would possibly rearrange things to get the unmarried partner settlement visa (I have heard they want to know why you keep on applying for visitors visa when in settled relationship).

On another note, second visa was issued via the Drop Box system without any problems or interview but this seems to have completely disappeared under new arrangements?

Edited April 27, 2006 by bangkokbill

[johnb]

Bangkokbill,

I've been with my tgf now for 7 years and she visits me in the uk at least twice a year for 2 - 3 months at a time.

During the 7 years the only concern that I have been advised of is that the consulate 'like' to see her staying in Thailand for at least 50% of the year and if circumstances have not changed then Imho you should have no probs in getting Visa's for you GF

Best of luck

Johnb

[bangkokbill]

Johnb,

Great, have you managed to get a long term visitors visa (five years?) out of them or does she still have to apply every year?

[johnb]

Bill,

No I wasnt aware of a 5 year Visa I'll check this out next visit - We just get a 6 month Visa

All the best

Johnb

[bangkokbill]

Johnb, the visa is still only valid for max six months per visit but the actual visa expires after five (I think?) years so she can visit as she does now but does not need to reapply for the same visa every year. May have got the wrong end of the stick...

[GU22]

Gentlemen,

There are no limits on the number of visit visas a person can apply for. Obviously, if you were resident in the UK and she in Thailand then the ECO may wonder why she doesn't want to live in the UK with you, but as you are both resident in Thailand that question won't arise.

From Guidance - Visitors (INF 2)

How long will my visa be valid for?

With a visit visa you can usually enter and leave the UK any number of times while the visa is still valid. The Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) may occasionally limit a visa so that it is valid for only one or two entries. You cannot stay for longer than six months on each visit. Visit visas can be valid for six months, one year, two years, five years or ten years. You can apply for a visa valid for any of these periods. The ECO may decide to make your visa valid for a shorter time than you have asked for, for example if you are not a regular traveller or have never visited the UK before.

You should both not have a problem getting a 5 year one, maybe even 10 years. It is just a simple matter of ticking the relevant box in section 1 of the application form. It is possible that they may want an interview to ascertain why such a long visa is wanted, but, based on what you have said here, neither of you should have any real problems.

Whilst each visit is limited to a maximum of 6 months, there is no hard and fast rule on how many times the visa can be used each year. However, you may encounter problems at UK immigration if it seemed that your girlfriends were spending more than 6 months out of 12 in the UK.

Forget about any type of settlement visa, unless your intention is to actually settle in the UK.

[johnb]

Bill

Thanks for the info I'll check it out

Good luck

Johnb

[johnb]

GU22

Thanks for the info - I'm actually resident in the UK but have not had any problems so far ( touch wood)

Thanks again

Johnb

[bangkokbill]

Guzz, thanks for the clarification, will stick with the visitors visa then - it actually has seemed too easy, given the widespread horror stories posted by other members and I didn't want to push my luck!

[GU22]

One thing I forgot to add.

The fee for a standard 6 month vv is currently 3,500baht and the fee for a 1, 2, 5 or 10 years vv is currently 5,950baht. Remember that these fees are subject to change due to currency fluctuations.

Johnb, even though you are a UK resident, she can still apply for a longer term vv. Just be prepared for them to ask why she doesn't want to settle in the UK with you. The concern here is that she may be attempting to use the visa to bypass the settlement rules, but if she has a valid answer then there wont be a problem. Particularly as she has had many vv in the past and has always (presumably) abided by the conditions.

Ignore the horror stories, your experience is the norm, not these stories.

Edited April 27, 2006 by GU22

[johnb]

GU22

Thanks again for the info -she has a 13 year old boy, house etc so would always want to split her time between the UK and Thailand

All the best

Johnb